New Software Lets You Play With Your Pets At Work

"This company still doesn't recognize cat maternity," Angela whines. She was out of vacation time, and so had to set up a direct feed from her living room to her work computer, so that she could monitor her new $7,000 Princess Lady.

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The kitty-cam is no longer just a concoction of writers on TV's "The Office." It is real, and beyond Angela's wildest dreams. The $349.99 iPet Companion includes an HD video camera, as well as a remote-controlled arm with a kitty toy and the software to make the toy jiggle and dance to your fluffy pal's delight.

Working "parents" can now allay their guilt, and feel connected to their cat while perched at their desk. Maybe the cat on the other end is connecting with a robot, but it can probably feel your presence, right?

Of course, this technology may sound an alarm for employers. If YouTube videos of kittens making human sounds already cause companies to lose approximately $1 billion in annual productivity, one can only imagine the financial cost of watching your actual cat being cute in real time, anytime you want.

But the iPet offers great pluses for some employers. Animal shelters hope that the technology, which will allow cat-lovers to play with their tenants from afar, might improve adoption and donation rates. Scott Harris, who developed the device, has donated them to a half-dozen animal shelters across the U.S.

The iPet can also be used to keep cats well-behaved in a way "The Office" writers couldn't even imagine. When the "ugly cat," Mr. Ash, mounts Princess Lady's seven-grand hide, Angela has to race out of the office to break up the party. With the iPet, a light smack of the robo-arm, and your kitty-porn is PG in a flash.

As a cat parent myself, I have just one question -- How many hours of kitty sleeping does the kitty-cam pick up? If it's the typical kitty, my guess is at least 18 hours -- that is, if the cam can find sleeping kitty in the first place! LOL

Not politically correct today. If you are insulted or otherwise suffer any damage..................you'll get over it!!!!

A Mexican (an undocumented), a Black, a Muslim and a Redneck were walking together on a beach when the Black stumbled over a bottle in the sand.

He picked up the bottle, rubbed the sand off it, and a Genie appeared."I can only grant four wishes, "the Genie said. "Since there are four of you, you may have a wish apiece." Pointing at the Black, he said, "Since you found the bottle, you may have the first wish."

The Black studied for a moment then said, "I wish for a fleet of ships so that I can gather all my people and take them back to our homeland, Africa ."

Poof! It was done! Hundreds of ships appeared on the shoreline.

The Mexican said, "I weesh for enough Cheby peekups to take all my people back to our homeland, May-he-co!" Poof! It was done! Row after row of Chevrolet Pickups appeared on the beach.

The Muslim said, "I wish for ten thousand camels to take all of my people away from this horrible country loaded with infidels so we can live in peace in Muslim countries and serve Allah." Poof! It was done! ten thousand camels suddenly appeared on the beach.

Turning to the Redneck, the Genie asked, "And what is your wish? The Redneck watched as the loaded pickups began moving toward the border, then looked out to sea and watched the loaded ships sailing out into the sunset, then he looked at all of the Muslims getting on top of the camels and riding off.

The Redneck said, "Just give me a Bud Light. It doesn't get any better than this!"

pretty funny that it says "companies hiring now' right under the article...I'm guessing they would be the companies that fire the people who work for them and spend their time playing with their cat on the computer

OK, I'm a "pet parent" but THAT is a bit much. YES, I have evidence my cat goes thru some separation anxiety when we leave for work. BUT, evidence also is that it lasts for about 15-20 minutes and then she finds a sunny spot and curls up for a nap.

Actually, my cat has a pretty good life. Some days I'm jealous. The whole being 'fixed' thing is a bit of a drag, but she doesn't seem to miss it.